Alternate voicemail deposit notification for roaming mobile devices

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods allow a roaming mobile device to communicate with a visual voicemail (VVM) system to inform the VVM system of its roaming status. The VVM system then suspends VVM service for the voicemail account associated with the roaming mobile device and instructs a notification server to notify the roaming mobile device if a voicemail message is deposited into a voicemail box associated with the voicemail account.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to voicemail and, moreparticularly, to an alternate voicemail deposit notification method forroaming mobile devices.

BACKGROUND

Voicemail systems allow a calling party to leave a voicemail message fora called party if the called party is unavailable to answer an incomingcall. Typically, a calling party places a call to a desired called partyusing a landline or wireless telephone and, after a predetermined numberof unanswered rings, the host network routes the call to a voicemailsystem that includes a voicemail box for the called party. The voicemailsystem plays a default or custom greeting that prompts the calling partyto leave a voicemail message. The voicemail message is recorded andstored in association with the called party's voicemail box forretrieval by the called party.

Traditional voicemail systems (referred to herein as plain-old voicemailor POVM systems) allow users to retrieve messages stored in his or hervoicemail box using a telephone user interface (TUI). Users are able tolisten to messages, skip messages, delete messages, and save messagesusing the TUI. TUIs also provide functions for users to set a voicemailgreeting, record a voicemail greeting, record a name, and set/change avoicemail password.

Other voicemail systems allow a user to access voicemail messagesdirectly from their mobile device without having to call a voicemailsystem. Such systems are commonly referred to as visual voicemail (VVM)systems. In these systems, a calling party leaves a voicemail message ina typical manner as described above. The VVM system then sends thevoicemail message in an appropriate audio file format to the user'smobile device for storage and retrieval. Alternatively, the VVM systemsends header information including, for example, the calling party,length of the voicemail message, the date and time the voicemail messagewas recorded, and any necessary details regarding the host VVM systemthat the mobile device needs to retrieve the voicemail message. When thecalled party selects the voicemail message from the mobile device, themobile device uses the header information to contact the VVM system andrequest the voicemail audio content associated with the voicemailmessage. The VVM system sends the voicemail audio content in anappropriate audio file format to the mobile device. The VVM system mayalternatively stream the voicemail audio content to the mobile device.

When the user travels to a different country or within the same countrywith their mobile device, the user's home network may not have coveragein the visited area. Carriers often establish roaming agreements withforeign carriers so that their subscribers are still able to make andreceive calls while roaming onto another carrier's network (foreignnetwork), in the visited area. A foreign network, therefore, may be inanother country, requiring international roaming, or may be a networkoperated by another carrier in the same country, requiring domesticroaming.

When a subscriber powers on their mobile device in the visited area, themobile device receives radio signals from one or more foreign networksoperating in that area. After one of the foreign networks is selected bythe mobile device, the carrier of the selected network authenticates theuser's mobile device with the user's home carrier including, forexample, determining whether the user is a valid user with roamingcapability enabled for their account. If the home carrier responds witha positive authentication, the user is permitted to use his or hermobile device on the foreign carrier network. For billing, the foreigncarrier will keep a record of all calls and other activity from theuser's mobile device and send the record along with the correspondingcharges to the user's home carrier. The home carrier aggregates thesecharges for billing to the user.

At present, when a mobile device is configured for VVM service and themobile device is roaming, the mobile device may lose access to VVMservice due to data connectivity being unavailable in the foreignnetwork. VVM service may also be inaccessible due to networkincompatibilities or VVM interoperability equipment being unavailablebetween the foreign and home networks.

In these situations, for example, if a user receives a voicemailmessage, the voicemail system cannot send the voicemail message to theuser's mobile device. As such, the user must call-in to the voicemailsystem to check whether a voicemail message has been deposited. The onlyindication to the user that a voicemail message may have been depositedis the presence of a missed call notification on his or her mobiledevice. This can lead to missed voicemail messages if the user does notactively check the voicemail system each time a call is missed. This canalso lead to increased network traffic due to users having to constantlycheck the voicemail system for new voicemail messages. The increasednetwork traffic can also lead to undesirable roaming charges for callsto the voicemail system.

SUMMARY

When a call is placed to a mobile device operating on a home network,the call is routed to the mobile device for a specified number of rings.If no answer is received, the call is forwarded to a visual voicemail(VVM) system, particularly, to a voicemail box associated with avoicemail account established for the mobile device user. A voicemailgreeting is played for the calling party and the calling party isprovided the option to leave a voicemail message. If no voicemailmessage is recorded, the voicemail box is left unchanged and no furtheraction is taken. If, however, the calling party leaves a voicemailmessage, the voicemail system records the voicemail message and sendsthe voicemail message to the mobile device in accordance with VVMmessage delivery procedures.

When a call is placed to a roaming mobile device, operating on a foreignnetwork, the call is routed to the roaming mobile device for a specifiednumber of rings. If no answer is received, the call is forwarded to theVVM system and directed to the user's voicemail box. A voicemailgreeting is played for the calling party and the calling party isprovided the option to leave a voicemail message. If no voicemailmessage is recorded, the voicemail box is left unchanged and no furtheraction is taken. If, however, the calling party leaves a voicemailmessage, the VVM system records the voicemail message and attempts tosend the voicemail message to the roaming mobile device in accordancewith VVM message delivery procedures.

In this scenario, the roaming mobile device may not have access to VVMservice for various reasons. For example, the roaming mobile device maynot have data access through the foreign network or the foreign networkand the home network may not have established interoperability equipmentto provide visual voicemail service through the foreign network. In anycase, although the VVM system may attempt to send the voicemail messageto the roaming mobile device, the VVM system will be unable tosuccessfully deliver the voicemail message to the roaming mobile devicewithout an established data connection.

In these situations, the user must call the VVM system via a telephoneuser interface (TUI) to check whether a voicemail message has beendeposited. Moreover, the only indication provided to the user that avoicemail message may have been deposited is a missed call notificationpresented on the roaming mobile device when any call is missed. This canlead to missed voicemail messages, if the user does not call the VVMsystem each time a call is missed to check for voicemail messages. Thiscan also lead to increased network traffic due to users having toconstantly check the VVM system for new voicemail messages. This, inturn, may lead to increased roaming charges for each call routed by theforeign network to the VVM system operating in the user's home network.

Methods presented herein allow a roaming mobile device to communicatewith the VVM system to inform the VVM system of its roaming status. TheVVM system then suspends VVM service for the voicemail accountassociated with the roaming mobile device and instructs a notificationserver to notify the roaming mobile device if a voicemail message isdeposited into a voicemail box associated with the voicemail account.

In other situations, a foreign network may provide data access, but thedata roaming charges levied by the foreign carrier for data access maybe prohibitively expensive or otherwise undesirable to the roaming user.Methods presented herein allow selective suspension of VVM service whena mobile device is roaming.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includesa VVM system receiving a roaming status message from a mobile device.The roaming status message indicates that the mobile device is roaming.The method also includes VVM system suspending the VVM service for themobile device, in response to receiving the roaming status message,receiving a voicemail message directed to a voicemail account associatedwith the mobile device, and sending a notification message to the mobiledevice to notify the mobile device of the voicemail message.

In some embodiments, the VVM system receives the roaming status messagefrom the mobile device via a notification server. In some embodiments,the VVM system receives the roaming status message formatted as a shortmessage service (SMS) message, a universal unstructured supplementarydata (USSD) message, a multimedia message service (MMS) message, anemail message, or a proprietary message.

In some embodiments, the VVM system receives the roaming status messagevia a data channel. In other embodiments, the VVM system receives theroaming status message via a signaling channel.

In some embodiments, the VVM system suspends the VVM service for themobile device for a time period specified in the roaming status message.In some embodiments, the VVM system suspends the VVM service for themobile device until a subsequent message is received from the mobiledevice instructing the VVM system to re-activate the VVM service for thevoicemail account.

In some embodiments, the VVM system sends the notification message tothe mobile device to notify the mobile device of the voicemail messagein an SMS format, a USSD format, an MMS format, an email format, or aproprietary format.

In some embodiments, the VVM system sends the notification message tothe mobile device with instructions to display a visual notification ona display of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the visualnotification is a message waiting indicator. In some embodiments, theVVM system sends the notification message to the mobile device withinstructions to play an audio notification through a speaker of themobile device.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a VVM systemincludes a processor and a memory for storing computer readableinstructions. Execution of the computer readable instructions by theprocessor make the VVM system operable to receive a roaming statusmessage from a mobile device, suspend a VVM service for the mobiledevice, receive a voicemail message directed to a voicemail accountassociated with the mobile device, and send a notification message tothe mobile device to notify the mobile device of the voicemail message.

In some embodiments, the instructions to make the VVM system operable toreceive the roaming status message include instructions, executable bythe processor to make the VVM system operable to receive the roamingstatus message formatted as an SMS message, a USSD message, an MMSmessage, an email message, or a proprietary message.

In some embodiments, the instructions to make the VVM system operable toreceive the roaming status message include instructions, executable bythe processor to make the VVM system operable to receive the roamingstatus message via a data channel. In some embodiments, the instructionsto make the VVM system operable to receive the roaming status messageinclude instructions, executable by the processor to make the VVM systemoperable to receive the roaming status message via a signaling channel.

In some embodiments, the instructions to make the VVM system operable tosuspend the VVM service include instructions, executable by theprocessor to make the VVM system operable to suspend the VVM service fora time period specified in the roaming status message. In someembodiments, the instructions to make the VVM system operable to suspendthe VVM service include instructions, executable by the processor tomake the VVM system operable to suspend the VVM service until asubsequent message is received from the mobile device instructing theVVM system to re-activate the VVM service for the voicemail account.

In some embodiments, the instructions to make the VVM system operable tosend the notification message to the mobile device include instructions,executable by the processor to make the VVM system operable to send thenotification message to the mobile device in an SMS format, a USSDformat, an MMS format, an email format, or a proprietary format.

In some embodiments, the instructions to make the VVM system operable tosend the notification message to the mobile device include instructions,executable by the processor to make the VVM system operable to send thenotification message to the mobile device with instructions to display avisual notification on a display of the mobile device. In someembodiments, the instructions to make the VVM system operable to sendthe notification message to the mobile device include instructions,executable by the processor to make the VVM system operable to send thenotification message to the mobile device with instructions to play anaudio notification through a speaker of the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary wireless communicationsnetwork system.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary method for providing avoicemail notification to a roaming mobile device.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary mobile device andcomponents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are providedherein. The disclosed embodiments are merely examples that may beembodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. Asused herein, for example, exemplary, and similar terms, referexpansively to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen,model or pattern. The figures are not necessarily to scale and somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized, such as to show details ofparticular components. In some instances, well-known components,systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in orderto avoid obscuring the devices and methods of the present disclosure.Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto variously employ the present disclosure.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure may be implemented inwireless networks that use exemplary telecommunications standards, suchas Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and an universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS). It should be understood, however, thatthe systems and methods may be implemented in wireless networks that useany existing or yet to be developed telecommunications technology. Someexamples of other suitable telecommunications technologies include, butare not limited to, networks utilizing Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access (WCDMA), Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing (OFDM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and various other 2G,2.5G, 3G, 4G, and future generation technologies. Examples of suitabledata bearers include, but are not limited to, General Packet RadioService (GPRS), Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), theHigh-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) protocol family, such as, High-SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSPDA), Enhanced Uplink (EUL) or otherwisetermed High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Evolved HSPA (HSPA+),and various other current and future data bearers.

While the methods described herein may, at times, be described in ageneral context of computer-executable instructions, the methods of thepresent disclosure can also be implemented in combination with otherprogram modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. Theterm application, or variants thereof, is used expansively herein toinclude routines, program modules, programs, components, datastructures, algorithms, and the like. Applications can be implemented onvarious system configurations, including servers, network systems,single-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, personal computers, hand-held computing devices, mobiledevices, microprocessor-based, programmable consumer electronics,combinations thereof, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary wireless communications networksystem 100 is illustrated. The wireless communications network system100 provides a suitable environment in which the disclosed methods areimplemented. As illustrated, the system 100 includes a mobile device102, such as a cellular telephone, wireless messaging device, computerof any form factor (e.g., laptop, notebook, netbook, subnotebook, etc.),or the like. The mobile device 102 is compatible with voicemail servicesincluding a plain-old voicemail (POVM) service and a visual voicemail(VVM) service. As a computer, the mobile device 102 may be configuredwith a fixed or removable network access card. In this embodiment, thecomputer may also be configured with voicemail software to support POVMand VVM services.

The mobile device 102 is configured to communicate with a home network104 operated by a home carrier. When the mobile device 102 travelsoutside of the home network 104 and is roaming, the roaming mobiledevice 102′ can attach to a foreign network, such as one of theillustrated foreign networks 106, 108, 110 (denoted Foreign Network₁, .. . Foreign Network_(N), where N is a positive integer) provided by oneor more foreign carriers. The foreign networks 106, 108, 110 may be inanother country, requiring international roaming for the roaming mobiledevice 102′, or may be a network operated by another carrier in the samecountry as the home network 104, requiring domestic roaming for theroaming mobile device 102′.

The home network 104 communicates with the foreign network 110(exemplary, hereinafter, of any of the illustrated foreign networks 106,108, 110) via an interoperability gateway 112, such as a gateway mobileswitching center (GMSC), gateway GPRS support node (GGSN), or othernetwork gateway element. By this communication, the foreign network 110is provided access to a visual voicemail (VVM) system 114 of the homenetwork 104.

In some embodiments, the VVM system 114 is a combination of hardware(e.g., processor(s), memory module(s), and network interface(s)) andsoftware (e.g., operating system, voicemail application software)configured to provide VVM service in accordance with VVM procedures. Insome embodiments, the VVM system 114 includes a telephony server forhandling incoming voicemail inquiries via a telephone user interface(TUI) and a storage server for storing and managing voicemail messagesfor a plurality of voicemail accounts (servers not shown). In someembodiments, the VVM system 114 is configured to store a plurality ofvoicemail accounts. Each voicemail account includes one or morevoicemail boxes in which voicemail messages are deposited for avoicemail user/subscriber. The number of voicemail messages capable ofbeing stored per account may be determined by the voicemail serviceprovider, such as the home network carrier, or a third party providersuch as the voicemail system manufacturer, vendor, or voicemail systemoperator, for example. The maximum voicemail message length may also beset by the voicemail service provider.

In some embodiments, the VVM system 114 is accessible via a TUI, as istypical for POVM access. In other embodiments, the VVM system 114 isaccessible via the mobile device 102, 102′ by way of a VVM applicationon the mobile device 102, 102′.

The VVM system 114 maintains message states for each voicemail message.Message states include, but are not limited to, an unheard—new state, askipped state, and a saved—read state. Messages may be retrieved,listened to, and deleted from the VVM system 114, for example, via theTUI or via the VVM application on the mobile device 102, 102′.

The VVM system 114 is in communication with a notification server 116.The notification server 116 is a combination of hardware and softwareand may be embodied as a short message service center (SMSC), amultimedia message service center (MMSC), an unstructured supplementaryservice data (USSD) center, an email server, a proprietary protocolserver, or any combination of thereof. Generally, the notificationserver 116 is configured to receive instructions from the VVM system 114to notify the roaming mobile device 102′ that a voicemail message hasbeen deposited into the voicemail box associated with the voicemailaccount of the roaming mobile device 102′ user, to generate anotification message, and to send the notification message to theroaming mobile device 102′.

In some embodiments, the notification message is sent to the roamingmobile device 102′ over a signaling channel, for example, via a messagedelivery protocol, such as SMS or USSD. A USSD message may be formattedas a special-purpose USSD code using a star code format (e.g.,*ALPHANUMERIC CODE#). In other embodiments, the notification message issent to the roaming mobile device 102′ over a shared or dedicated datachannel. In still other embodiments, the notification message is sent tothe roaming mobile device 102′ as an email message or via a proprietaryprotocol. In other embodiments, the notification message is sent to theroaming mobile device 102′ as a special-purpose text message, such as amessage waiting indicator (MWI) message. The notification message may bedisplayed on a display of the roaming mobile device 102′ as an icon orother visual representation to indicate that a voicemail message hasbeen deposited into the user's voicemail box. Additionally oralternatively, the notification message may trigger a sound to be playedthrough a speaker of the roaming mobile device 102′ to indicate that avoicemail message has been deposited into the user's voicemail box.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a method 200 for providing a voicemailnotification to a roaming mobile device is illustrated. It should beunderstood that the steps of the method 200 are not necessarilypresented in any particular order and that performance of some or allthe steps in an alternative order is possible and is contemplated. Thesteps have been presented in the demonstrated order for ease ofdescription and illustration. Steps can be added, omitted and/orperformed simultaneously without departing from the scope of theappended claims. It should also be understood that the illustratedmethod 200 can be ended at any time. In certain embodiments, some or allsteps of this process, and/or substantially equivalent steps areperformed by execution, by a processor, of computer-readableinstructions stored or included on a computer-readable medium, such as amemory of the roaming mobile device 102′ and/or a memory of the VVMsystem 114.

The method 200 begins and flow proceeds to block 202, whereat the mobiledevice 102 travels outside the home network 104 and into an areaserviced by one or more foreign networks 106, 108, 110 operated by oneor more foreign carriers. The roaming mobile device 102′ attaches to oneof the foreign networks 106, 108, 110 and flow proceeds to block 204.

At block 204, an application (e.g., a visual voicemail application,messaging application, or other application) in the roaming mobiledevice 102′ detects the roaming status of the roaming mobile device 102′and generates a roaming status message directed to the VVM system 114 tonotify the VVM system 114 of the roaming status. In some embodiments,the roaming mobile device 102′ sends the roaming status message to thenotification server 116 with instructions for routing the message to theVVM system 114. In some embodiments, the roaming status message isformatted by the roaming mobile device 102′ into an SMS message, a USSDmessage, an MMS message, an email message, or in a proprietary messageformat and sent to the notification server 116 or directly to the VVMsystem 114. The roaming status message may be sent over a shared ordedicated data channel or a signaling channel.

At block 206, the VVM system 114 receives the roaming status messagedirectly from the roaming mobile device 102′, or by way of thenotification server 116, and routes the message internally to thevoicemail account associated with the roaming mobile device 102′ user.In response to receiving the roaming status message, the VVM system 114suspends VVM functionality for the user's voicemail account. In someembodiments, the VVM system 114 suspends VVM functionality for a timeperiod specified in the roaming status message received from the roamingmobile device 102′. In other embodiments, the VVM system 114 isconfigured to suspend VVM functionality until a subsequent message isreceived from the roaming mobile device 102′ instructing the VVM system114 to re-activate VVM functionality for the user's voicemail account.

At block 208, a voicemail message is deposited into a voicemail boxassociated with the user's voicemail account on the VVM system 114. Inresponse to the voicemail message being deposited, the VVM system 114,at block 210, instructs the notification server 116 to notify theroaming mobile device 102′ of the voicemail message. At block 212, thenotification server 116 generates and sends a notification message tothe roaming mobile device 102′. At block 214, the roaming mobile device102′ receives the notification message and presents (e.g., displays forvisual notification or plays for audio notification) the notificationmessage to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic block diagram of an exemplarymobile device 300 is illustrated. Although connections are not shownbetween the components illustrated in FIG. 3, the components caninteract with each other to carry out device functions. In someembodiments, for example, the components are arranged so as tocommunicate via one or more busses (not shown). It should be understoodthat FIG. 3 and the following description are intended to provide ageneral understanding of a suitable environment in which the variousaspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure can beimplemented.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 102, 102′ illustrated in FIG. 1is configured like the mobile device 300, now described in detail. Insome embodiments, the mobile device 300 is a multimode headset and has avariety of computer readable media, including, for example, volatilemedia, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. Theterm computer-readable media and variants thereof, as used in thespecification and claims, refer to storage media and communicationmedia. In some embodiments, storage media includes volatile and/ornon-volatile, removable, and/or non-removable media. For example,storage media includes random access memory (RAM), read-only memory(ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),solid state memory or other memory technology, CD ROM, DVD, or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to storethe desired information and that can be accessed by the mobile device300.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile device 300 includes a display 302for displaying multimedia such as, for example, voicemail notificationmessages, application graphical user interfaces (GUIs), text, images,video, telephony functions, such as Caller ID data, setup functions,menus, voicemail message waiting identifiers (MWIs), music, metadata,messages, wallpaper, graphics, Internet content, device status,preferences settings, map and location data, profile (e.g., vibrate,silent, loud) selection, and the like. The display 302 may displayvisual voicemail data in visual voicemail headers, such as the date,time, message length, message status (i.e., new-unread, read, saved, ordeleted), and calling line identity (CLI) information. The illustratedmobile device 300 also includes a processor 304 for processing dataand/or executing computer-executable instructions of one or moreapplications 308, and a memory 306 for storing data and/or one or moreof the applications.

In some embodiments, the application(s) 308 include a user interface(UI) application 310. The UI application 310 interfaces with a client312 (e.g., an operating system (OS)) to facilitate user interaction withdevice functionality and data. In some embodiments, the client 312 isone of Symbian OS, Microsoft® Windows® Mobile OS (available fromMicrosoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.), Palm® webOS™ (available fromPalm Corporation of Sunnyvale, Calif.), Palm®OS (available from PalmCorporation), RIM® Blackberry® OS (available from Research In MotionLimited of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada), Apple® iPhone® OS (available fromApple Corporation of Cupertino, Calif.), or Google Android™ OS(available from Google Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.). These operatingsystems are merely exemplary of the operating systems that may be usedin accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

The UI application 310 aids a user in entering message content, viewingreceived messages (e.g., multimedia messages, SMS messages, visualvoicemail messages), managing voicemails in a visual voicemailapplication, answering/initiating calls, entering/deleting data,entering and setting user IDs and passwords for device access,configuring settings, manipulating address book content and/or settings,multimode interaction, interacting with other applications 314, and thelike. In some embodiments, the other applications 314 include, forexample, visual voicemail applications, messaging applications (e.g.,SMS, EMS, MMS applications), presence applications, text-to-speechapplications, speech-to-text applications, add-ons, plug-ins, emailapplications, music applications, video applications, cameraapplications, location service applications (LSAs), power conservationapplications, game applications, productivity applications,entertainment applications, enterprise applications, combinationsthereof, and the like. The applications 308 are stored in the memory 306and/or in a firmware 316, and are executed by the processor 304. Thefirmware 316 may also store code for execution during device power up,for example.

The illustrated mobile device 300 also includes an input/output (I/O)interface 318 for input/output of data, such as, for example, voicemailaccount information requests, visual voicemail management, locationinformation, presence status information, user IDs, passwords, andapplication initiation (start-up) requests. In some embodiments, the I/Ointerface 318 is a hardwire connection, such as, for example, a USB,mini-USB, audio jack, PS2, IEEE 1394, serial, parallel, Ethernet (RJ48)port, RJ11 port, or the like. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 318accepts other I/O devices such as, for example, keyboards, keypads,mice, interface tethers, stylus pens, printers, thumb drives, touchscreens, multi-touch screens, touch pads, trackballs, joysticks,microphones, remote control devices, monitors, displays, liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs), combinations thereof, and the like. It should beappreciated that the I/O interface 318 may be used for communicationsbetween the mobile device 300 and a network or local device, instead of,or in addition to, a communications component 320.

The communications component 320 interfaces with the processor 304 tofacilitate wired/wireless communications with external systems. Exampleexternal systems include, but are not limited to, intranets, networkdatabases, network storage systems, cellular networks, location servers,presence servers, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks, localarea networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), metropolitan areanetworks (MANs), personal area networks (PANs), and other networks. Insome embodiments, the external systems are implemented using WIFI,WIMAX, combinations and/or improvements thereof, and the like. In someembodiments, the communications component 320 includes a multimodecommunications subsystem for providing cellular communications viadifferent cellular technologies. In some embodiments, for example, afirst cellular transceiver 322 operates in one mode, such as, GSM, andan Nth cellular transceiver 324 operates in a different mode, such asUMTS. While only two cellular transceivers 322, 324 are illustrated, itshould be appreciated that a plurality of transceivers can be included.

The illustrated communications component 320 also includes analternative communications transceiver 326 for use by othercommunications technologies such as, for example, WIFI, WIMAX,BLUETOOTH, infrared, infrared data association (IRDA), near fieldcommunications (NFC), RF, and the like. In some embodiments, thecommunications component 320 also facilitates reception from terrestrialradio networks, digital satellite radio networks, Internet-based radioservices networks, combinations thereof, and the like.

The communications component 320 processes data from a network such as,for example, the Internet, an intranet (e.g., business intranet), a homebroadband network, a WIFI hotspot, and the like, via an ISP, DSLprovider, or broadband provider. In some embodiments, the communicationscomponent 320 facilitates the transmission of authentication informationfrom the mobile device 300 to a network for processing in accordancewith the methods described herein.

Audio capabilities for the mobile device 300 can be provided by an audioI/O component 328 that includes a speaker for the output of audiosignals and a microphone to collect audio signals.

The illustrated mobile device 300 also includes a slot interface 330 foraccommodating a subscriber identity system 332 such as, for example, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, universal SIM (USIM) card, oruniversal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more SIMapplications (e.g., ISIM, SIM, USIM, CSIM). Alternatively, thesubscriber identity system 332 may be manufactured into the mobiledevice 300, thereby obviating the need for a slot interface 330. In someembodiments, the subscriber identity system 332 is programmed by amanufacturer, a retailer, a user, a computer, a network operator, or thelike. The subscriber identity system 332 may be configured to storevoicemail account information, contact information for the user and/oraddress book contacts, and/or other information.

The illustrated mobile device 300 also includes an image capture andprocessing system 334 (image system). Photos may be obtained via anassociated image capture subsystem of the image system 334, for example,a camera. The illustrated mobile device 300 also includes a video system336 for capturing, processing, recording, modifying, and/or transmittingvideo content. Photos and videos obtained using the image system 334 andthe video system 336, respectively, may be added as message content toan MMS message and sent to another mobile device.

The illustrated mobile device 300 also includes a location component 338for sending and/or receiving signals such as, for example, GPS data,assisted GPS (A-GPS) data, WIFI/WIMAX and/or cellular networktriangulation data, combinations thereof, and the like, for determininga location of the mobile device 300. In some embodiments, the locationcomponent 338 interfaces with cellular network nodes, telephone lines,satellites, location transmitters and/or beacons, wireless networktransmitters and receivers, for example, WIFI hotspots, radiotransmitters, combinations thereof, and the like. Using the locationcomponent 338, the mobile device 300 obtains, generates, and/or receivesdata to identify its location, or transmits data used by other devicesto determine the location of the mobile device 300.

The illustrated mobile device 300 also includes a power source 340, suchas batteries and/or other power subsystem (AC or DC). The power source340 can interface with an external power system or charging equipmentvia a power I/O component 342.

The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive toillustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims.Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplaryillustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding ofthe principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, andcombinations may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims. All such variations,modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of thisdisclosure and the following claims.

1. A method, for providing voicemail notifications to a mobile devicethat is configured to receive voicemails from a visual voicemail systemproviding a voicemail service, comprising: receiving, by a processor ofthe visual voicemail system, from the mobile device, a roaming statusmessage indicating that the mobile device is roaming; suspending, by theprocessor, in response to receiving the roaming status message, thevisual voicemail service in connection with the mobile device, whereinsuspending the visual voicemail service for the mobile device comprisesan operation selected from a group of operations consisting of:suspending the visual voicemail service for a time period specified inthe roaming status message; and suspending the visual voicemail serviceuntil a subsequent message is received from the mobile deviceinstructing the visual voicemail system to re-activate the visualvoicemail service in connection with the mobile device; receiving, bythe processor, a voicemail message directed to a voicemail accountassociated with the mobile device; and sending, by the processor, anotification message to the mobile device to notify the mobile device ofthe voicemail message.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, fromthe mobile device, the roaming status message comprises receiving theroaming status message from the mobile device by way of a notificationserver.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, from the mobiledevice, the roaming status message comprises receiving the roamingstatus message formatted as a type selected from a group of typesconsisting of a short message service message, a universal unstructuredsupplementary data message, a multimedia message service message, anemail message, and a proprietary message.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein receiving the roaming status message from the mobile devicecomprises receiving the roaming status message by way of a data channel.5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the roaming status messagefrom the mobile device comprises receiving the roaming status message byway of a signaling channel.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein sendingthe notification message to the mobile device to notify the mobiledevice of the voicemail message comprises sending the notificationmessage to the mobile device in a format selected from a group offormats consisting of a short message service format, a universalunstructured supplementary data format, a multimedia message serviceformat, an email format, and a proprietary format.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the sending the notification message to the mobiledevice to notify the mobile device of the voicemail message comprisessending the notification message to the mobile device with instructionsto display a visual notification on a display of the mobile device. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein sending the notification message to themobile device with instructions to display the visual notification onthe display of the mobile device comprises the notification message tothe mobile device with instructions to display a message waitingindicator on the display of the mobile device.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein sending the notification message to the mobile device to notifythe mobile device of the voicemail message comprises sending thenotification message to the mobile device with instructions to play anaudio notification through a speaker of the mobile device.
 10. A visualvoicemail system comprising: a processor; and a computer-readablestorage device being in operative communication with the processor andhaving stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving, from a mobile device, a roaming status messageindicating to the visual voicemail system that the mobile device isroaming; suspending, in response to receiving the roaming statusmessage, a visual voicemail service in connection with the mobiledevice, wherein suspending the visual voicemail service for the mobiledevice comprises an operation selected from a group of operationsconsisting of: suspending the visual voicemail service for a time periodspecified in the roaming status message; and suspending the visualvoicemail service until a subsequent message is received from the mobiledevice instructing the visual voicemail system to re-activate the visualvoicemail service in connection with the mobile device; receiving avoicemail message directed to a voicemail account associated with themobile device; and sending, a notification message to the mobile deviceto notify the mobile device of the voicemail message.
 11. The visualvoicemail system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto receive the roaming status message, cause the processor to receivethe roaming status message formatted in a format selected from a groupof formats consisting of a short message service message, a universalunstructured supplementary data message, a multimedia message servicemessage, an email message, and a proprietary message.
 12. The visualvoicemail system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto receive the roaming status message, cause the processor to receivethe roaming status message by way of a data channel.
 13. The visualvoicemail system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto receive the roaming status message, cause the processor to receivethe roaming status message by way of a signaling channel.
 14. The visualvoicemail system of claim 10, wherein the computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto send the notification message to the mobile device, cause theprocessor to send the notification message to the mobile device in ashort message service format, a universal unstructured supplementarydata format, a multimedia message service format, an email format, or aproprietary format.
 15. The visual voicemail system of claim 10, whereinthe computer-executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to send the notification message to themobile device, cause the processor to send the notification message tothe mobile device with instructions to display a visual notification ona display of the mobile device.
 16. The visual voicemail system of claim10, wherein the computer-executable instructions that, when executed bythe processor, cause the processor to send the notification message tothe mobile device, cause the processor to make the visual voicemailsystem operable to send the notification message to the mobile devicewith instructions to play an audio notification through a speaker of themobile device.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage devicehaving stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving, from a mobile device, a roaming status messageindicating to the visual voicemail system that the mobile device isroaming; suspending, in response to receiving the roaming statusmessage, a visual voicemail service in connection with the mobiledevice, wherein suspending the visual voicemail service for the mobiledevice comprises an operation selected from a group of operationsconsisting of: suspending the visual voicemail service for a time periodspecified in the roaming status message; and suspending the visualvoicemail service until a subsequent message is received from the mobiledevice instructing the visual voicemail system to re-activate the visualvoicemail service in connection with the mobile device; receiving avoicemail message directed to a voicemail account associated with themobile device; and sending a notification message to the mobile deviceto notify the mobile device of the voicemail message.